The Gibson Explorer: A Short History

For five watt world short history bundle and HX Stomp presets

T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tumblers

To make a donation to support the channel click here:

Get regular updates on what's happening at the channel on Instagram:

This is the sister video to our video to "The Flying V: A Short History". The great story of the Explorer is driven by how very few were made back in the '50's.

First and foremost, I need to thank Dave Rogers from Dave's Guitars. Dave owns an original 1959 Explorer, one of only three guitars built that year. He sent me endless pictures of that amazing guitar and he quite literally made this video possible as images, particularly detailed images of original Explorers, are almost more rare than the guitars themselves.

I also need to specifically thank Dave's photographer, Tim Mullally, who worked with me to grab images of the key features of the guitar. Everyone at Dave's was incredibly helpful. It's funny, but the week prior to calling Dave I'd bought a left over PRS Mira S2 Semi-hollow from the shop online. Beautiful photography and amazing customer service. I can personally recommend doing business with them.

I need to thank Dave Onorato who shared his knowledge of the guitars and specifically shared pics and history on his Max Baranet guitar. Dave grew up tagging along with his dad, Joe Onorato, who was a well known vintage guitar dealer back when that was just becoming a thing. Dave's merch store for Dojo Guitar Repair is here:
Sure thing!

Clearly I owe a debt of gratitude to Phil Jones, who shared with me his knowledge of the "Korina guitars". I met Phil through the owner of the V prototype from that video and so now I owe that guy twice as well. Phil has been a tremendous source of information and has proven to be a great editor as well (my bad spelling is always a problem.). And on top of all that, he's a very funny guy.

As always I need to thank the real experts that wrote the books I used in my research. Tony Bacon at the front of that list with his book, "Flying V, Explorer, Firebird". I highly recommend everything Tony's written.

Finally, I need to thank the guys from Wildwood Guitars for the use of the clip of the Gristle-master, Greg Koch wielding a modern Explorer in the intro and outro for the video. I often find myself, hat in hand, asking a favor for images or music and they are always great collaborators.

And thanks to all of you that watch the videos. The channel is on its way to hitting 100,000 subscribers this morning and none of this would be worth doing if we didn't all spend time thinking about guitars and guitar playing.

Thanks for watching. Until next time, thanks for being a part of the five watt world.
Keith

[Chicagodog-tuek]

James Hetfield is the sole reason I've wanted an explorer guitar for 22 years now.

[brucepiland]

The Explorers are so unexpectedly comfortable.

[ErroneousTheory]

A high school friend who learned guitar with me recently passed. His wife wanted me to have his guitar. Just got it yesterday. An '84 Explorer - the same year we started playing together.

[sonoftherepublic]

I remember as a kid seeing James Hetfield with a Explorer and it was like 'ok that guitar says it all.' Love 'em.

[HexedPedestrian]

I got a Hamer Explorer about 18 years ago. It was originally selling for $1000, but it fell off the wall of the store and the top wing broke off. It was a clean break, right along the seam. The repair guy fixed it, and they cut the price in half. It sat in the shop like that for almost a year. Since it wasn't selling, they cut the price in half again and I picked it up for $250.

[coquio]

So here's my Explorer story, I've always wanted one.

[RickBeato]

Killer video Hypes! I have never actually played an Explorer.

[mindeloman]

Hearing Allen Collins play freebird live on his explorer is a religious experience.

[SkyFire]

Both the explorer and Flying V back to back? It’s a dream come true. The only Explorer I have is the one my grandad and I built. It’s made out if black limba and has a 25.5 inch scale length. It’s more pointy than a normal explorer so we called it the voyager. Unfortunately Grandad passed away before we could finish it so my dad and I finished it in his honour. After his death my dad and I realized he had been working on it while we weren’t there and he accidentally cut himself while chiseling our the control cavity. My dad varnished over the blood so that grandad would always be with the guitar. It has a strange energy as a result.

[trashysyd]

I’ve only played an actual Gibson explorer once, but it’s unforgettable. The guitar itself makes such a big sound it almost feels like it doesn’t need an amplifier. And the way you can get such raw, gritty metal tones all the way to clean straty like tones is such an experience. The guitar deserves more recognition.

[TheChadPad]

The Explorer played the solo to nothing more to say

Edit: I've been notified that it was actually a Firebird on the record! The Explorer is just what he played live that became well known. Apologies for the error!

[fullclipaudio]

The Explorer is my all time favorite guitar. Hands down the best guitar ever.

[EPstroker]

Well done. Glad you Included Allen Collins, he is who I associate an explorer with the more iconic than seeing him RIP the freebird solo on his explorer.

[lordofnesss]

Mathias Jabs is a legend !! I've always loved his playing, unique sound and tones, epic memorable solos, extremely good technique, lightning fast, and tasty melodic player, one of my favourites.

[FredrickRogers-hy]

I saw the Edge play his Explorer on TV in the 80s and loved it. In 1990 I bought a brand new Explorer of my own. Later I traded it for a Telecaster but missed it. 14 years later it came through my brother's guitar store and I bought it back! I love it and it will never leave me again.

[roybuis]

25:00 Inaccurate.
The Snakebyte guitar is James Hetfield's signature guitar that was drawn and made to his specs and released in 2011 I believe.
The ESP EX series was their modified explorer ever since. Which features sharper angles.

[tylerthomason]

Wonder if we’ll get a short history of MusicMan instruments. The stingray bass is absolutely iconic and would be a perfect choice for an upcoming short history.

[infinidominion]

Woulda thought the V and Explorer were inspired by the shapes of the cars back then like Cadillac and Buick's huge tail fins

[mctwishvonnoodles]

Being a metalhead, every time I say I want an Explorer people always assume it's because of James Hetfield. I love Metallica, but it's really my dad; he owns a Brendon Small Thunderhorse and I want always watch him playing it, and even before I played guitar I thought it was so cool to have such a commanding presence. The Explorer, along with the 67 Flying V, is an absolute classic monster of rock and metal

[Aenima]

I love how your videos are not just reading a Wikipedia article verbatim like a number of other channels are. Fantastic production and quality of research 👏